Abstract: A camera with a selector device that may be used for adjusting frame rate while capturing video; and associated subsystems and methodologies.

Abstract: A pixel-differentiated CCD imager architecture may include: a plurality of photo-sensing pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel being classified according to type from among a plurality of photo-sensing pixel types; and read circuitry controllable to respectively read one or more of a second type of pixel independently of reading a first type of pixel, the reading of one or more first type pixels representing a sampling of fewer than all of the plurality of pixels, the sampling being obtainable without having to read all of the plurality of pixels. A related method and digital camera may include features similar to elements of the pixel-differentiated CCD imager architecture.

Abstract: A device for scanning a first image on a document surface and printing a second image on the document surface comprising a mechanism operable to engage a document and drive the document along a feed path, a scanner apparatus operable to generate a scanned image of the first image on the document surface as the document is driven past the scanner apparatus during a first document traversal of the feed path, and a printer apparatus operable to print the second image on the document surface as the document is driven past the printer apparatus during the traversal of the document through the feed path is provided.

Abstract: A print medium that is expandable and collapsible comprises two sheets separated by at least one collapsible brace. The collapsible brace includes a first wall attached to one of the sheets and a second wall that swings in relation to the first wall. The swinging motion of the second wall in one direction expands a distance between the two sheets, while a swinging motion of the second wall in the opposite direction collapses the distance between the two sheets. At least one sheet of the paper may include an ink receiving layer. When the collapsible brace is expanded, the print medium becomes a substantially rigid structure.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting the integrity of a group of images is provided. One embodiment for protecting the integrity of a group of images comprises watermarking each one of a plurality of images in an image group with a unique watermark having at least an image digest, the image digest comprising information that identifies the watermarked image as an original image, and the plurality of images having a predefined order in the image group; and including in selected ones of the unique watermarks a unique decryption key, each one of the unique decryption keys configured for decrypting the unique watermark of a next image in the image group.

Abstract: A still image capturing device includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel elements. An electronically actuatable shutter device includes a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. A shutter element substantially corresponds to one or more pixel elements. A memory stores an exposure threshold and one or more exposure patterns. A processor controls the plurality of shutter elements according to the exposure threshold or according to an exposure pattern.

Abstract: A system for capturing an image when an amount of sclera is visible in a preview image comprises a photosensor configured to detect an image, a memory configured to store at least a sclera setting, a processor configured to determine when at least one face is present in the detected image and further configured to determine an amount of sclera present in the face so that the determined amount of sclera is compared to the sclera setting, and an actuator configured to initiate capture of the detected image such that the detected image is captured when the determined amount of sclera is at least equal to the sclera setting.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for identifying objects with captured images. One embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising the steps of actuating a controller configured to cause an image capture device to operate in a property identification (ID) mode; capturing an image of an object, thereby generating an object image when the image capture device is operating in the property ID mode; and capturing at least one high-resolution image of a unique feature of the object, thereby generating at least one identification (ID) image when the image capture device is operating in the property ID mode.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a focusable lens apparatus, an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel elements, and an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. A shutter element substantially corresponds to one or more pixel elements. A processor controls a focus depth of the lens apparatus and selectively actuates particular shutter elements associated with each of a plurality of focus depths during image capture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting contamination of a Camera lens are disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable filter for suppressing radio frequency emission is disclosed. The adjustable filter comprises a ferrite material inductively coupled to a signal carrier, the signal carrier having current at a first frequency and a second frequency, and a signal carrier having an adjustable inductance for adjusting the electrical characteristics of the signal carrier. Adjusting the electrical characteristics of the signal carrier reduces saturation of the ferrite material at the first frequency, thereby allowing the ferrite material to suppress current at the second frequency, where the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) elements facilitate protection of electronic components from ESD events. The ESD element includes a pair of spark gaps between a first side and second side of the ESD element. The first side of the ESD element includes a peaked portion and a substantially planar portion. The second side of the ESD element includes a peaked portion opposite the substantially planar portion of the first side and a substantially planar portion opposite the peaked portion of the first side. This asymmetry facilitates use of peaked emitters regardless of the polarity of the charge applied to the ESD element while further facilitating the use of more optimized receiver surfaces opposite the emitters.

Abstract: An adjustable filter for suppressing radio frequency emission is disclosed. The adjustable filter comprises a ferrite material inductively coupled to a signal carrier, the signal carrier having current at a first frequency and a second frequency, and a signal carrier having an adjustable inductance for adjusting the electrical characteristics of the signal carrier. Adjusting the electrical characteristics of the signal carrier reduces saturation of the ferrite material at the first frequency, thereby allowing the ferrite material to suppress current at the second frequency, where the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus and method for a lens of a hand-held imaging device are provided according to the invention. The electrostatic discharge apparatus includes a main body and an optical lens mounted on the main body. A transparent conductive coating is formed on the optical lens. The device further includes a conductive pad formed on the main body. The conductive pad is in electrical contact with the transparent conductive coating. The conductive pad is located on the main body at a region contacted by a user during use of the hand-held imaging device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.

Abstract: An elapsed time apparatus and method are provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The elapsed time apparatus and method are capable of adding an elapsed time to a digital image generated by a digital image capturing device. The elapsed time apparatus comprises a counter capable of measuring an elapsed time between a first image capture and a second image capture. The elapsed time apparatus further comprises a memory that is capable of storing a plurality of digital images and is capable of storing at least one elapsed time value. The elapsed time apparatus further comprises a processor communicating with the counter and the memory. The processor obtains an elapsed time value from the counter upon the second image capture and adds the elapsed time value to a second digital image captured during the second image capture.

Abstract: A print media having a first sheet that is elastic about a plane of its printable surface is adhered to a second sheet that is rigid about the plane of the printable surface. The two sheets are separable such that the first sheet may be separated from the second sheet after transferring a desired image to the printable surface. By transferring an image to the printable surface of the first sheet, and by subsequently removing the second sheet, a stretchable image is produced on the first sheet.

Abstract: A print media having a first sheet that is elastic about a plane of its printable surface is adhered to a second sheet that is rigid about the plane of the printable surface. The two sheets are separable such that the first sheet may be separated from the second sheet after transferring a desired image to the printable surface. By transferring an image to the printable surface of the first sheet, and by subsequently removing the second sheet, a stretchable image is produced on the first sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for determining ingredients based upon scanning a label on a food container. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising scanning a textual ingredients list on a label of the product, converting the scanned textual ingredients list into ingredients data using an optical character resolution program, comparing the ingredients data to preference data, the preference data corresponding to at least one preference for at least one consumer and generating a notification to a user when at least one ingredient in the ingredients data corresponds to at least one preference the consumer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.